PocketRevolutionary

I will admit that I love shiny new processes or tools, but I often have to abandon them when they’re more “shiny” than “helpful.” Thankfully, atomic design and Pattern Lab have finally separated out the front-end development from integration in a way that has completely changed my job on certain projects. I was able to build and deliver an entire front-end to my friends at Busy Noggin Digital (who were working in Craft CMS) using Pattern Lab, and I can’t go back to static HTML deliverables.

I have a favorite running path that I go to for all my long runs. There’s a 3.75 running path between two parks (a 7.5 mile circuit), and you can of course extend it on either end or run it a couple times to get some great mileage without getting hit by cars or running out of pavement. That's not why I run there, though. There is a more magic result of this “extend-your-own-course” path, though: you never know where anybody is at in their run.

Now, after one long year, I’m devoting myself entirely Craft+Story 2.0 with one priority: helping others grow. For clients, I want to provide second chances or new opportunities to get to that next level. For partner freelancers and agencies, I can be a launch pad for bigger or better things. For everyone else, I want to be a resource and maybe (hopefully) and example of a different kind of agency.

In agile development teams and online businesses, a lot of us talk about launching early and iterating in the web world these days. It makes sense for those of us who are launching web apps and online services. What about non-technical ministries and small businesses that are working on launching major updates or redesign? How do you, as a non-development leader, know when you should go ahead and launch something that may not feel "there," yet? Simple. You launch when it’s better than what you have.

I’d like to think I learned a lot about hustling from The Roots and Jon Acuff (in different ways). I've been reading Jon Acuff’s blogs since Stuff Christians Like, and I recommend Quitter as my favorite (non-idealistic) guide for moving on to your next big thing (which may not be quitting your day job). I also want to stay on his good side in case I need an endorsement for a future book. That being said, I didn't really internalized the hustle until I signed up for my first 15k.

A couple weeks ago, I got out of town for a few days to update my strategy for my one-person studio, Craft+Story, and make a plan for the year ahead. I even formed a mission statement after almost four years of Craft+Story. I realized that my sole mission in everything (Craft+Story, past jobs, and this blog) has always been about helping others grow (and really not in the cheesy way that everybody writes growth as their unique offering).

This year, I finished one of the toughest assignments in the short history of Craft+Story: re-branding my wife’s business. It was only a weekend project for a long time, but in the end we came out with something that make her squeal with excitement (which is my main job).

Custom development and tailored solutions have almost inadvertently been at the heart of Craft+Story since the beginning (last year), but I didn’t make it part of our one-sentence description until recently.

Inherently, I know that you sometimes need to get away when you’re trying to solve big problems or accomplish crazy goals. When I worked for the ministry, I loved “away” days and staff retreats. Those days helped us set a clear vision year after year and dream big. I told myself that was one thing I would definitely continue when I had my own business.